New Delhi: The Election Commission announced the second phase of the SIR on Monday. The process began today in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. The Commission stated that this is a routine process, updating the voter list and removing ineligible names. The opposition in Bihar created a major uproar during this process. However, the Election Commission stated that not a single objection was raised, meaning it is the most accurate voter list to date. The announcement of the second phase of the SIR by the Election Commission has once again heated up the political landscape. Reactions have begun pouring in from leaders on this issue. Vijayan urges united opposition to SIR
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday urged all those who value democracy to unite and oppose the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, calling it a serious threat to the country’s democratic foundations.
He warned that the process now being implemented by the Election Commission in several states is a clear attempt to undermine universal suffrage and manipulate the electoral rolls for political gain. Vijayan strongly stated that the ECI’s move to implement SIR in Kerala and other states poses a serious challenge to the democratic process. He said that this raises serious doubts about the Election Commission’s intentions and could undermine public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
Vijayan said that the criticism that central officials are manipulating the electoral rolls to their own advantage has not been refuted in any way, making it even more relevant. Although the constitutional validity of the Bihar voter list is pending before the Supreme Court, the move to implement the same process in other states cannot be considered innocent or fair. Hastily implementing such a significant revision, which requires long-term preparation and extensive consultation, clearly indicates an attempt to undermine the mandate. Dilip Ghosh said, “The TMC opposes any national interest.” In West Medinipur, West Bengal, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, “These people (the TMC) voluntarily oppose anything in the national interest. But the Election Commission is doing its work impartially. The Election Commission said that no complaint or appeal has been received against it. All parties cooperated, and everything happened, and the same will happen here. No one can remove the name of a genuine voter, and anyone who tries to include a duplicate voter will be arrested. Any leader who illegally becomes a voter will not be allowed to do so.”
Rashid Alvi Questions the Haste in Implementing the SIR
Congress leader Rashid Alvi questioned the Election Commission’s haste in implementing the SIR in light of the second phase of the SIR. He asserted that the Election Commission plans to implement it during the Bihar elections. He alleged that the central government is in collusion with the Election Commission in this matter. He said that they want political parties to be busy with the elections. Meanwhile, the Election Commission will take advantage of their work and implement the SIR.
BJP Leader Shahzad Poonawala Attacks the India Alliance
BJP leader Shahzad Poonawala welcomed the decision. He said that the Election Commission has the constitutional responsibility and authority to conduct elections in the country and ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process before the elections. He said that the India Alliance is opposing the SIR, but the same alliance wants to implement the SIR before the local body elections in Maharashtra. He said, “This means that the SIR is right in Maharashtra and wrong in other states.” They oppose the SIR in Delhi and don’t even raise a single objection when it’s implemented in Bihar.” The BJP leader said that the Supreme Court doesn’t impose any restrictions on the SIR. He said, “These people file fake petitions in the Supreme Court.
